PlayStation 4 controller prototype with Move, a display, and a speaker leaks

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We are now less than one week away from Sony’s February 20 announcement, in which Sony is expected to reveal the PlayStation 4 to the public. To whet our appetites until then, an image depicting what appears to be a PlayStation 4 controller prototype hooked into the PS4 developer kit has been leaked. The controller appears to be something of a mutant.

Leading up to Sony’s event, numerous reports detailing the specs of both the PlayStation 4 and the next Xbox have found their way to the web. We have also seen some reports regarding the future of the PS Eye, as well as Microsoft’s Kinect and controller strategy for the next Xbox. One aspect of both consoles we haven’t gotten much information on is their controllers, until now. “Anonymous sources” have confirmed to various outlets that yes, this is a real prototype. If true, what can we learn about the PS4 controller from this picture?

First, it should be noted that this is supposed a prototype, which means that it won’t necessarily be the final build. So, if you can’t help but feel that the controller looks too deep and bulky, this could be rectified in the final unit.

The most notable aspect of the prototype is the glowing blue light, and it’s most likely safe to assume that it’s technology similar to the PlayStation Move, built right into the standard controller. The light is quite similar to what’s found on the Move’s lollipop-like controller. Why else would Sony stick a garish blue strip across the top of their controller?

The analog sticks have finally shifted from convex to concave, with a single raised ring around the outer edge, similar to the stick found on the Wii’s Nunchuk controller. The controller only appears to show two shoulder buttons — one on each side — rather than the two on each side we’re used to, but it’s possible that the second shoulder buttons on side are placed toward the back or underside of the controller. If so, they would most likely be more like a trigger than a standard shoulder bumper.

In the middle of the controller, above the Home button, we see a collection of small holes, which most likely represents a speaker, similar to the one found on the Wiimote. It would be possible that a microphone is also placed into the controller around that area, but there’s no way to tell by examining this picture.

PS4 controller – optimized for clarity

Lastly, the reason why the controller looks so strange, is what appears to be a touchscreen taking up much of the middle of the unit. The screen is small — and technically could be some kind of non-touch LCD, similar to the ones found on fancy gaming keyboards — but with the PS Vita sporting front and back touch sensitivity, and Nintendo going the touch route with the Wii U, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Sony employ a touch-capable zone.

Considering that the picture doesn’t show a Start or Select button, we can only assume that touchscreen will make those available. Even so, it’s not at all impossible that Sony simply dispensed with Start and Select, and will simply rely on the other buttons to take the responsibility of the left-over duties.

It’s also worth noting that the big beige unit the prototype controller is plugged into is reportedly a PS4 dev kit. As with the controller, dev kits don’t sport a sleek retail design, so don’t freak out and declare Sony’s next console a blight on gaming hardware aesthetics that will forever mar the whole of the industry.

Sony’s event is only five days away, so if they do announce the PS4 like expected, then we’ll certainly see what facets of the prototype made it into the final design.

Update: Another photo of the prototype controller leaked, check it out below:

“As with the controller, dev kits don’t sport a sleek retail design, so don’t freak out and declare Sony’s next console a blight on gaming hardware aesthetics that will forever mar the whole of the industry.”

chojin999

You are the one unable to read here.

The controller looks cheap plastic. That is what I was pointing out.

The PS4 chassis won’t be as good as the dev kit one for sure anyway. Expect same cheap plastic used for the new cheap useless controller. (Move integrated into the pad is just plain dumb, practically unusable)

Xplorer4x4

“(Move integrated into the pad is just plain dumb, practically unusable)”

I disagree, say you are playing a fighting game like Mortal Kombat. Instead of relying on a key press to side step, you tilt the controller to the left or right. What about in a flight sim if you need to pull up at the last minute. Pull up on the controller, and your plane pulls up. I believe a lot of gamers subconsciously do such motions anyways, so Sony is just capitalizing on something players already do subconsciously. I am not a big fan of having to get up and jump around but subtle little things like this are a nice little touch imo.

chojin999

No, they aren’t. It’s just plain retarded.

And anyway you don’t need a tracking system like Move or Kinetic to achieve that.

iPhone,iPad as well as most smartphones and tablets can do that already with sensors and not a tracking system.

Ian

The move light bar on the controller and two cameras (clearly vsible on the dev kit) will be used for this.

Based on it’s inclusion out of the box we could see these type of effect possible in every game as default, with no sacrifice to traditional control methods. This tech has the potential to significantly enhances your immersion in the game world and offers a very cool 3d effect with no need for 3d glasses or tv!

Even better imagine it used in tandem with 3d glasses and you have a ‘holgraphic effect’ which was eluded to by a sony exec more than a year ago (can’t find article) :-)

3D glasses ? Consumer 3D at home is a huge flop for the whole industry already.

Ian

I agree 3d hasn’t been well received because wearing glasses sucks and so does buying expensive tvs. But rewatch the first video more carefully.

This is not the traditional 3d effect as there is no need for 3d glasses or tvs with this set up. It would work on any tv and without glasses.

The effect is created with a set up which is basically the reverse of wii, (camera tracking movement of light source, which is basically how move works).

Now follow me here. Instead of mounting the lights on glasses (like in the video) the ps4 would do the same thing, but the view would change when you move the controller instead! The 2 cameras and move enabled controller (as clearly shown in the leaked picture) are perfect for this!

No glasses or fancy tvs! Just cheap effective 3d!!!!

Xplorer4x4

“And anyway you don’t need a tracking system like Move or Kinetic to achieve that.”

iPhone,iPad as well as most smartphones and tablets can do that already with sensors and not a tracking system.”

You may not need one, but the fact is Move/Kinect already use tracking technology, so since Move/Kinect could be integrated in to the next gen consoles/controllers cheaper then adding sensors on top of an existing tracking system. That cost is then passed on to the customer.

Also, you don’t seem to understand the difference between low quality and low cost. For example, when building a computer, which is actually similar in concept to building a console, I could buy a low end Intel Core i3 CPU or high end Core i7 cpu. I could buy low end Corsair RAM or high end Corsair memory. I could buy a low end gigabyte mobo with DVI out and use the integrated graphics from my Core i3 cpu, or I could buy a high end Gigabyte mobo with no video out combined with a gpu card. The gpu could be low end or high end. I can go on and on, but why spend $1,000 or more for a high end gaming system when a low end integrated graphics system would be sufficient? Just because I spent less money on the cheaper system does not make it low quality.

Furthermore, there is probably a reason they are using last gen technology. After the notorious RROD issue with the older 360s, MS surely need to prove they have delivered a solid console in terms of reliability.

chojin999

If you seriously think that when you buy a cheaper product from a known brand it’s not lower quality then you surely are naive.

Both Microsoft and Sony already started spreading marketing lies on these new c*ap consoles, like babbling about 176GByte/s RAM bandwidth. And that is a huge lie. It’s not going to happen. That is not true. They are telling marketing c*ap to the public. They are only referring to best case scenario for a small faster caching level which is not true sustained 176GByte/s bandwidth at all.

dude, chill the hell out. Sony and Microsoft are not out to get you or anyone. they’re just making something new! fuck it! embrace it! don’t buy it if you don’t want to, but holy shit, why are you so negative?!

chojin999

You Microsoft and Sony employees are just plain pathetic.

No, people are not going to embrace bad products anymore.

People want quality and not frauds (although not buying Android frauds for sure).

http://www.facebook.com/Killerpancake01 Kris Shullenberger

No, I’m saying you’re fighting online, against people who will never take into account of what you say. It’s silly.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1223563048 Angel Ham

Oh shi- Start and Select buttons replaced with a touchscreen. DO NOT WANT. I do hope the final version does include those buttons.

http://www.facebook.com/jmoney.tha.bestest Corey Teague

There are start and pause buttons the squares are hidden between the touchpad and d pad

Guest

I hope it’s Kinect technology in there- so you can play with the controller lying down.

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